Victory, Oh victory to the Sun God, Who is the lamp to the seven worlds, Who by His rays destroys sin, Who destroys aches and sorrows, Who is lead to by the path of Vedas, Who is the Sun God to the universe, And Who is saluted by all the worlds, And also my salutations to Him who makes the day.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

The Four Goals of Life

To desire is not wrong. But it should be legitimate. Desire is at the root of all things . So too with the macrocosm as well as the microcosm. It is a desire to manifest itself that started the first vibration in the Unmanifest Consciousness. All manifestation and Cosmogenesis starts first from this first desire and vibration, which is perceived as the vibration of AUM . By a long process, the manifest universe of five elements arises from the unmanifest.

Hindu literature asserts that there are four legitimate goals of life. These four objects that human beings pursue are dharma, artha, kama and moksha.

Dharma

It is the Way, the Natural law or that which is natural. It is the dharma of the Sun to shine. It is the dharma of the planets to revolve around the Sun. Dharma, when followed diligently, will carry one across the ocean of existence. To follow dharma, is to go with the cosmic flow. Though the role of religion is to indicate or show what dharma is, often it ends up in dogma and ritual. Dharma is much more than religion. It is beyond all dogmas and narrow ideas religion. Following dharma is doing what you ought to do.

Artha

It refers to the acquisition of wealth or resources that are valuable. Wealth is essential to allow us to function happily in life. When knowledge is used for supporting oneself, it can also be part of artha.

Kama

Translated as desire, it is the achievement of one's aspirations. All desires and ambitions are part of " Kama ". While at one level, lust too is part of it; Kama just represents one's innate urge to attain one's aspirations.

Moksha

The goals of artha and kama can be pursued as long as they are legitimate (based on dharma). With dharma as the foundation, if one has attained the first three goals, eventually a time comes when one transcends them. The first three goals are a means to attain the ultimate goal of moksha or liberation. Once you have gone through a lot of the first three goals, you will realize that there is no permanent happiness in them, that this world is impermanent and that no finite and impermanent thing can give you everlasting happiness. Everlasting happiness is possible only if a thing is infinite and eternal.

That brings us to the One source of all – the Infinite and eternal Truth (call it Brahman, God or whatever you want to). Attaining moksha or liberation is just achieving union with the Cosmic consciousness or going Back to Cosmic Roots .

All four goals are important to a life well lived. In fact each of them facilitates the other, till finally we start desiring the ultimate aim of liberation. But most people do not pursue all the four goals equally because their own individual karmas direct them to prefer particular courses of action. This can be ascertained from the positions of the grahas in the signs and houses.

Aries is the first house of the zodiac. In an individual chart, the ascendant or lagna is the first house. Applying the same principles:

Placement of the 4 goals of life in the chart:

Dharma houses

If we uphold dharma, dharma will protect us (dharmo rakshati rakshitah). If a person has lead a dharmic life in the past, the effects are seen in the current incarnation. This could take the form of a good education in their childhood (represented by the 5 th and 9 th houses). Later on in life, it is seen in the birth of good children and happiness through them (again in the 5 th and 9 th houses). Finally, if the Dharma has been very strong, it gives sadhana (mantra in the 5 th and guru/spiritual teacher' in the 9 th ).

annot control this triangle much in this lifetime as it depends on previous good karma or merits of past life.

Artha houses

The houses associated with Artha (i.e 2 nd 6 th . and 10 th .) are also the houses associated with the profession of the person which then leads to the creation of resources that sustain us (remember these are the earth signs in the natural zodiac) . To ascertain an individual's profession (which is the means to wealth or artha), we have to analyse the artha triangle. i.e . houses 2, 6 and 10 . The second indicates finances and accumulation of wealth. The sixth indicates service, rivals, debts etc. Most businesses run on loans. The other person is seen on the 7 th . 12 th being loss or expenditure, the 6 th indicates loss to others (12 th to 7 th ). When we take a loan or get into debt, the other person loses, and we gain or get his money. As such our money is based on his expenditure. In the changing scenario, the 6 th house is no longer totally bad. But judging the exact effects needs more knowledge of astrology.

Kama houses

The Kama houses (3 rd . 7 th and 11 th ) deal with desire. The 3 rd indicates one's efforts, while the 7 th indicates all interactions with the OTHER PERSON, be it a spouse or business partner, or anyone with whom we enter into a contract. The 11 th indicates one's aspirations, goals and their fulfilment or otherwise. It also indicates attachments or ties of a lasting nature like a permanent friendship. The kama houses indicate the motivations of the person, showing one's efforts, aspirations, goals and interaction with others for the fulfilment of the same. The key word is desire.

Upachaya houses or Houses of Growth

A word on the Upachaya houses is not out of place here. The Upachaya houses are the houses of growth. They are 3,6,10,11. These are the areas where man has more freewill. These houses afford a chance for the so-called growth or progress materially. In fact malefics are preferred here. If you see any book of Jyotish, the results given for malefics in these houses are better than other houses. Malefics here seem to give more growth materially while actually taking the individual away from the path of realisation. All the Upachaya houses are either Artha (wealth) or Kama (desire) houses. Freewill is allowed more in these areas. Prarabdha rules more strongly in the other houses. 2 nd house which represents the family and the the 7 th which represents marriage, are largely determined by karmic debts (rna) and an individual has very less freewill in these areas. We have no choice in the family that we are born into.

Moksha houses

The Moksha houses are spiritual houses. These are secret houses. They are seldom understood properly. This is the part of the book of fate that is closed to normal human minds. Even the best astrologers understand very little of these houses. The 4 th and the 8 th houses represent psychic and occult powers /abilities, samadhi, nightmares. The 12 th house also signifies everything foreign-foreign countries, foreigners, etc being watery and also because it signifies the feet. Another important signification of the 12 th house is that 'it is a secret house other than the 8 th . Spies, detectives, people involved in any kind of 'secret work' could have a strong 12 th house connection. The 12 th house also signifies dissolution. Water stands for Cosmic dissolution. So material dissolution (loss and expenditure) or voluntary giving away (charity/philanthropy) or at its best the dissolution of the Individual into the Cosmic, in other words final liberation or moksha, are all indicated by this house. While the 4 th indicates interest and study into the occult, the 8 th takes us deeper into the secrets of the Cosmic Consciousness and the 12 th actually frees the individual under ideal conditions. In reality any of these trio, especially the 8 th and 12 th give experiences which are unusual, or spiritual. The exact nature of the experience, whether it is truly spiritual or belonging to a lower or higher level of illusion (maya), is decided based on the planets and other houses involved. To understand one's spiritual experiences, an analysis of 4, 8, 12 houses and signs becomes important. In fact any strong links between the houses of Dharma and Moksha bodes well for spiritual inclinations and progress.

About the author: A graduate of the New South Wales Institute of Psychiatry's ( Australia ), multidisciplinary clinical masters degree in mental health, Dr. Satya Prakash Choudhary has the unique advantage of a rare multi-disciplinary background and experience. He combines a unique blend of Mental Health/Behavioral sciences, Management and Ancient Wisdom backgrounds. His extensive studies (about 15 years of ongoing training/studies) in the medical model (both conventional and alternative), Counselling/Psychotherapy, Family & Organizational systems, Management and Spirituality, are complemented by practical experience gained through one-to-one interactions in both the clinical and corporate fields. Dr. Satya Prakash was past President of The Australian Council of Vedic Astrology (2001 to 2004) and also the editor of 'The Vedic Light' . He runs the MindCare Clinic and Institute of Behavioural Sciences , at Hyderabad , India ( www.mindcareclinic.com ). The author may be contacted at: backtocosmicroots@yahoo.com.au

For humanity, few arguments have withstood the test of time as well as the perceived conflict between desire (Kama) and spirituality. This conflict appears within most spiritual traditions and has enkindled an endless debate as to the proper perspective and role of desire and spirituality.

To the average student of spirituality, they have been led to believe that desire is in complete conflict with spirituality. This is especially true of students of the western hemisphere, but appears throughout the world. An apparent paradox has evolved out of this. The paradox is the commonly held belief that desire shows lack of spirituality while the practice of spirituality contains numerous prayers, mantras, and meditations aimed at fulfilling desire. But do all spiritual traditions support an autocratic stance toward spirituality and desire? While it is true that most have at least elements of this paradox, often the reason can be linked to a misunderstanding of words and spiritual principle's.

Within the Ayurvedic system, it is recognized that for householders four main aims are taught:

Dharma

Artha

Kama

Moksha

Dharma is a good vocation following your truth, it is also a reference to universal truth and knowledge. Artha is prosperity. Moksha is liberation, and Kama is desire.

Frequently Kama (desire) is interpreted to be only a reference to love, in particular sexual love or sexual desire. But this is only the strongest or more correctly, the most basic form of kama. Kam is basically enjoyment. While enjoyment is strongly associated with the emotional mind (manas), it can also have a higher spiritual manifestation. This would commonly be referred to as kama-apara and kama-para or lower desire and higher desire. In a sense, the Rg Veda is about the fulfillment of desires. Obviously some of these are the lower interpretations (kama-apara) of the Vedas; with people wanting cows, prosperity, among other things. Certainly the Atharva Veda has rituals for the desire of a husband, wife, or other desire. While these could be viewed by some as apara or lower, they certainly play an important role as the soul witnesses the play of karma. And these same desires have a higher manifestation. Such as cow representing physical or mental/spiritual prosperity, they also represent mental and spiritual prosperity on a higher level. Occasionally these are also referred to as the inner and outer forms. So the same teaching can be applied to the higher and lower forms. The Atharva Veda also deals with the desire for health and wellness. Certainly these are desires that do need to be addressed and would be valued by most people in society. So obviously there is a more expansive view toward Kama or desire in a broader meaning than the narrow meaning of just sexuality. Was kama ever intended to be limited to a base bodily function and mere mindlessness of the senses? Most likely not, as we find kama referenced in numerous ancient texts such as the previously mentioned Rg and Atharva Vedas. Kama appears within texts such as the Taittiriya Samhita from the Krishna Yajur Veda, offering mantras when desires are not fulfilled 2.3.3. These particular mantras have nothing to do with sexuality or sexual desire, but with other types of desire.

Within Sanskrit, a deeper meaning of kama is revealed. The primal root to Kama is "Ka" and the Taittiriya Samhita from the Krishna Yajur Veda, states that Ka is Prajapati, the lord of creation. Within Sanskrit, 'ka' can be a reference to the soul, sun, Vishnu and much more. So clearly it does not contain the negative attributes given in later texts. It is within the "Bhagavad Gita" XVI, 11-12, that the Kama is held in the lowest esteem. It is in this section (XVI of the Gita) that kama is associated with more demonic qualities or those of a lower nature. Again this is focusing on kama from only a sexual/lust view. This is section of the "Gita" is obviously focusing on the lower or kama-apara. In which case, the teachings in the "Gita" have numerous valid points.

In this short exploration of kama, we are starting to see the dual nature of kama revealed through the concept of lower and higher desires. We have explored the Vedic view and that of the Gita.

The next area to explore kama through is tantra. Certainly within tantra, this could only be a reference to sexual desire, as sexual tantra is what most people are familiar with. But sexual tantra is actually a small portion of the greater field of knowledge within tantra. Obviously it would follow the same concept of higher and lower teachings toward desire.

Within the Tantric teachings, kama manifests as a shakti known as kamala. She is ultimately a manifestation of Kali, and it is this form of Kali that is worshipped by many people around the world, as she is strongly associated with beauty and prosperity in such forms as Laxshmi. But she is also the spirit of giving. It is through giving that one begins to bring an end to just the outer seeking of the senses; and one begins to manifest the higher form of kama (para). We begin to discover the higher desire for spiritual truth and realization. In this sense, many people go through a variety of experiences that inspires a longing for truth. Kamala is located in the heart chakra, which is the seat of devotional worship. In fact, this spiritual seat, within the heart chakra, is considered by many as the most important spiritual doorway for the astral and causal body; jnana yoga even values this spiritual doorway, as the heart chakra and various points within this field was referenced even by Ramana Maharishi.

Kamala and Kama in its higher form, begins as recognition of the divine beauty within the world. This appears on basic levels as an appreciation of art, music, beauty, and slowly starts to manifest as an appreciation of aromas, and other meditative tools such as incense, candle's, meditative music, and meditation itself. Kama as Kamala can manifest as a powerful desire to meditate and experience the power of the heart chakra.

Kama is presently known more as a puranic version of the deity than the older Vedic and Tantric teachings. Kama's energy is reflected in numerous Hindu teachings with the quote "God wanted to be many." This references the original primal desire of consciousness. Our return to our true source and essence begins with desire (kama). This idea is taught repeatedly with one of the oldest references being in the Rg Veda, "Desire first arose in it…" X.129. Kama is also mentioned in the Atharva Veda, and at times associated with Agni within the Rg Veda. According to the "Taittiriya Brahmana" he is born of Dharma and the deity of Justice. This is a very different view of kama verses the puranic god of lust and sexual desire that is often portrayed. But in reality, kama on the lower levels is reflected in human sexuality, which is only a veiled "urge to merge". Regrettably many people do not come to fully understand this "urge to merge" and cannot move past the basic sexual urge. In other words, they become lost in the sexual experience and never realize the spiritual teaching behind the experience. But for others, over time, this desire evolves into a higher longing. This idea is reflected in tantra and such things as art and music, a modern notable example would be Steve Winwoods, "Bring me a higher Love."

As we begin to experience kama in a new and different manifestation, we begin to experience the opening and energization of the heart chakra. This is an important stage for all spiritual students. This brings a desire to commune with the deities, energies, or essence of our soul. It also indicates the awakening desire for truth. Desire plays an important role in this development and desire to commune in a different way.

Again this desire for divinity is a critical step in spiritual growth and development. As it inspires us to keep working, it helps us in addressing our longing for divine communion, or more correctly, to awaken to the divine communion that is occurring on a daily basis in our life. A common pattern for a few students is twisting a desire. Usually this manifests as a desire to just have an experience or to see something. Again this is a process that some must pass through. Eventually the teachings remind us that once desire for divinity has taken us almost to the goal, of divine realization, we must sacrifice our desire for divine realization, in order to take the final step into realization. But for many, desire is condemned to an autocratic philosophy before one has had the opportunity to reap the benefits from, or cultivate, higher desire. And after all isn't this one of the goals of spirituality? To provide a practical step by step process in moving from one level of consciousness to another.

Kama in practical application and daily life.

Kama is our desire, but not just the limited sexual desire as is frequently taught. Kama is our experience of divinity via the senses. And ultimately it is a vehicle for returning home to our true essence.

To begin to use kama in a productive way in life, try some of the following:

Make a list of desires, all of them, evaluate which ones are still important, which ones have been fulfilled and which need more time. (The key is to be honest with yourself on this one).

Evaluate different desires, see which ones serve you and which ones cause pain and suffering.

Allow the cultivation of bhakti (devotion) with a deity that you are drawn to. This could involve meditation on the deity or basic mantras to the deity.

Experience the manifestation of divinity through the senses, using mantra, sacred images, candlelight, incense, and spiritual music.

Experience the manifestation of divinity in nature. I would recommend reading, Yoga and the Sacred Fire as well as Tantric Yoga and the Wisdom Goddesses by Dr. David Frawley. You could also read some articles on Ushas on our website www.vedicpath.com There is also a great selection of articles at www.vedanet.com

Study and contemplation of sacred texts.

Begin the practice of yoga and Ayurveda, or both.

Begin a daily meditation practice.

Practice giving to others.

Recognize that Kama as a deity or force is a powerful presence in your life. Examine ways to use this force in productive, positive and balanced ways in your life.

Realize that Kama as a goal in life is ultimately for the manifestation of moksha or liberation.

Create a list of higher values and start to cultivate them using some of the above techniques.

Create positive sensory input by using the above techniques.

Recognize that all sensory input is food. Food for the mind and for the body. Ingestion of proper food allows one to move more quickly along the spiritual path just as nutritious food is better for the physical body than 'junk' food. Examine the mental foods being ingested and evaluate which ones serve the best.

Practice the bija mantra to Kama or Kamala, which is "Shriim". This should be learned from someone versed in Sanskrit.

June 2-5: Journey Into Healing with the Chopra Center - Asheville, North Carolina. Vamadeva and Shambhavi will join Deepak Chopra and his staff for their Ayurvedic training program including special classes on the Wisdom of Herbs and Tonification and Rejuvenation. Vamadeva has taught regularly with the Chopra center over the last fifteen years and helps with their Ayurvedic Practitioner Training as well.June 22-26: Mantra Yoga and Primal Sound - Yogaville, Virginia. Special program with Vamadeva and Shambhavi based upon Dr. Frawley's most recent best selling book and Shambhavi's Yogini Bhava mantra CD. Will explore deeper practices of bija mantras, pranayama, and meditation rarely taught in the West, with reference to Veda, Tantra, Ayurveda and Vedic astrology. Will be our most extensive teaching program in the United States this year.

August 19-21:Toronto Yoga Festival - Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Dr. Frawley and Yogini Shambhavi will give a series of keynote talks and classes on Yoga, Shakti, Ayurveda, Vedic Astrology and Hinduism as part of an important conference featuring a number of important speakers and teachers from throughout the world and from Canada.September 9-11:Omega Institute, Awakening Yoga Shakti - Awaken the cosmic forces of Shiva and Shakti that pervade the universe, and discover your innate powers of health, balance, and transformation. Vedic scholar and teacher David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri) and Yogini Shambhavi Chopra share secrets of the spiritual sciences of Tantra, yoga, Ayurveda, and Vedic astrology to awaken your yogic energy from within and allow the perception, development, and understanding of all your higher potentials.

Our Special Upcoming Retreats-----Dec. 12-19: Hawaiian Yoga Shakti Program - Kauai, Hawaii: A special retreat at a beautiful newly opened priate Kerala sytle retreat center on Kauai's beautiful North Shore. Limited to twenty people in Kerala style rooms. Special interaction with Vamadeva and Shambhavi and visits to sacred sites on the island and the Na Pali coast. Ayurvedic treatments available. Will be our first Yoga Shakti retreat in the United States and will reflect the same teachings and practices as our India programs.March 7-13, 2012: Fifth Annual Ma Ganga Yoga Shakti Retreat - Rishikesh, India. Now open for early registration. At Neemrana resort fifteen miles north of Rishikesh with private access to the Ganga. Will include the beautiful Hindu festival of Holi celebrated on the river itself as well as a day off for river rafting on the Ganga, along with classes, rituals, mantra and meditation to connect with the Shiva and Shakti energies of this region that is the homeland of classical Raja Yoga. Daily Ganga meditations and rituals.March 13-21, 2012: Yogini Yatra Sacred HimalayanTour - Ranikhet, India (near Almora). Now open for early registration. Guided pilgrimage to special temples and sacred sites in the Kumaon Himalayas seldom visited by westerners, including Jageshwar Shiva complex, Dunagiri Durga temple and Mahavatar Babaji's cave, along with special teachings from Vamadeva and Shambhavi on Yoga, Vedanta, Tantra and Vedic astrology.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Gaudapada, like most of the classical Indian thinkers, lives in our memories mainly through his work. Tradition regards Gaudapada as Sankara's paramaguru (preceptor's preceptor). A verse which contains the succession list of the early teachers of Advaita gives the names of those teachers in the following order: Narayana, the lotus-born Brahma, Vasishtha, Sakti, his son Parasara, Vyasa, Suka, the great Gaudapda, Govinda-yogindra, his disciple Sankaracharya, and then his four pupils Padmapada, Hastamalaka, Trotaka and the Vartikakara (i.e. Suresvara)1. From this list we learn that Gaudapada was the preceptor of Govinda who was Sankara's guru. The first teacher is Narayana, the Lord himself, and the line of succession, which is from father to son upto Suka, consists more or less of mythical persons.

The first teacher of whose historicity we may be sure is Gaudapada, and from him onwards we have the rule of sanyasins succeeding to the Advaita pontificate. With him commences, according to tradition, what may be called the manava-sampradaya in the present age of Kali; he was the first human preceptor to receive the wisdom of the One and impart it to his pupils. Anandagiri in his gloss (tika) on the Mandukya-karika-bhashya, says that the teacher Gaudapada in those days spent his time in Badrikasrama, the holy residence of Nara-Narayana, in deep meditation on the Lord, and that the Lord, Narayana, greatly pleased, revealed to him the Upanishadic wisdom. Balakrishnananda Sarasvati (17th Century A.D.) writes in his Sarirakamimamsabhashya-vartika that there was in the country of Kurukshetra a river called Hiraravati, on whose banks there were some Gauda people (people of Gaudadesa, the modern North Bengal); that the pre-eminent of them, Gaudapada, was absorbed in deep meditation beginning from the Dvapara age; and so, as his proper name is not known to the moderns, he is celebrated by the class-name of the Gaudas.

Gaudapada, after he was blessed with the intuitive wisdom of the Absolute, must have taught those who gathered round him the truth he had discovered and embodied it in a work which came to be called the Agamasastra or Gaudapada-karika. It is an exposition of a short but important Upanishad called the Mandukya, which is counted as one of the principal Upanishads by all the schools of Vedanta. Besides the Mandukyakarika, other works are also attributed to Gaudapada. They are: a vritti on the Uttaragita, a bhashya on the Savkhyakarika, a commentary on the Nrisimhottaratapinyupanishad, a bhashya on Durgasaptasati and two independent Tantric treatises, viz., Subhagodaya and Srividyaratnasutra. Since nothing definite can be said regarding the authorship of these other works, we shall here attempt a study of the philosophy of Gaudapada as it is set forth in the Mandukyakarika.

2

Gaudapada's Karika, which is more than a verse commentary on the Mandukya Upanishad, contains the quintessence of the teaching of Vedanta2. The work consists of 215 couplets arranged in four chapters. Following the Upanishad, the first chapter, Agama-prakarana, analyses the three avasthas, waking, dream and deep sleep, and finds that the Self which is referred to as the Turiya underlies and transcends these changing states. The second chapter, Vaitathya-prakarana, seeks to establish the illusoriness of the world of plurality, on the analogy of dreams and through a criticism of creationistic hypotheses. The third chapter, Advaita-prakarana, sets forth the arguments for the truth of the non-dualism, gives citations from scripture in support thereof, and discusses the path to the realisation of non-duality, called Asparsa-yoga. The last chapter, Alatasanti-prakarana, repeats some of the arguments of the earlier chapters, shows the unintelligibility of the concept of causality through dialectic, explains the illusoriness of the phenomenal world, comparing it to the non-real designs produced by a fire-brand (alata) and pressing into service modes of Bauddha reasoning, and establishes the supreme truth of non-duality which is unoriginated, eternal, self-luminous bliss.

2 The commentator on the Karika says: vedantartha-sara-sangrahabhutam

3

The central theme of Gaudapada's philosophy is that nothing is ever born (ajati), not because 'nothing' is the ultimate truth as in Sunya-vada, but because the Self is the only reality. 'No jiva is born; there is no cause for such birth; this is the supreme truth, nothing whatever is born3. From the standpoint of the Absolute there is no duality, there is nothing finite or non-eternal. The Absolute alone is; all else is appearance, illusory and non-real. They are deluded who take the pluralistic universe to be real. Empirical distinctions of knower and object known, mind and matter, are the result of Mava. One cannot explain how they arise. But on enquiry they will be found to be void of reality. If one sees them, it is like seeing the foot-prints of birds in the sky4. The Self is unborn; there is nothing else to be born. Duality is mere illusion; non-duality is the supreme truth.5

Gaudapada expounds his philosophy of non-origination or non-birth in several ways and through many an argument. The reality of the non-dual self he first establishes through an enquiry into the purport of the Mandukya Upanishad. Though extremely brief, the Mandukya contains the essentials of Vedanta. For the liberation of those who desire release, says the Muktikopanishad, the Mandukya alone is enough6. The MandukyaUpanishad begins with the equation 'Om=all=Brahman=self' and proceeds to describe the three states of the self, waking, dream and sleep, as well as the fourth (Turiya) which is not a state alongside the others but the transcendent nature of the self—the non dual peace, the self per se. Gaudapada makes this declaration of the Upanishad the basis of his metaphysical quest and seeks to show through reasoning that non-origination is the final truth.

Visva, Taijasa, and Prajna are the names by which the self is known in the three states, waking, dream, and sleep. Visva is conscious of the external world, enjoys what is gross and is satisfied therewith. Taijasa is conscious of what is within7, enjoys what is subtle and finds satisfaction there. Prajna is a consciousness-mass without the distinctions of seer and seen; its enjoyment and satisfaction is bliss. The three, Visva, Taijasa, and Prajna are not distinct selves. It is one and the same self that appears as three8. To show that all the three aspects are present in waking, Gaudapada assigns localities to them. Visva has its seat in the right eye; Taijasa in the mind; and Prajna in the ether of the heart9. And the three should also be thought of as identical with the three cosmic forms of the self, Virat, Hiranyagarbha, and Avyakrta or Isvara. It is to indicate this identity that the MandukyaUpanishad describes the Prajna-self as the lord of all, the knower of all, the controller of all, the source of all, the origin and end of beings10. The recognition of Visva, Taijasa, and Prajna in the waking state, and the identification of the three individual forms of the self with the three cosmic forms, are for the purpose of realising non-duality. The non-dual reality is the Turiya. It has no distinguishing name; hence it is called 'the fourth' (turiya)11. It is the self-luminous self, changeless, non-dual, one without a second. The states that change and pass, with their words and enjoyments, are illusory, products of Maya. Maya is two-fold in its functioning; it veils the one and projects the many. Non-apprehension of the real (tattva-pratibodha) and the apprehension of it otherwise (anyatha-grahana). For the Prajna in the state of sleep there is non-apprehension alone, and not misapprehension. It knows neither the self in its real nature nor the not-self. The Turiya is free from both the aspects of Maya. It is consciousness per se, without even a trace of ignorance. It is unfailing light, omniscient sight12. The metaphysical implication of sleep is that it hides the true, and of dream that is projects the untrue. Visva and Taijasa are associated with dream and sleep; Prajna is associated with dreamless sleep; for the Turiya there is neither dream nor sleep. Real awakening comes with the realisation of the Turiya, with the transcendence of Maya in its double role of veiling the real and sowing up the non-real. When the jiva wakes from the beginningless sleep of illusion, it knows its true nature as unborn, as that in which there is neither sleep nor dream nor duality13.

In the Alatasanti-prakarana14, Gaudapada teaches the same theory of the three avasthas, employing Bauddha terminology. Waking, dream and sleep are there called laukika, suddha-laukika, and lokottara respectively. The difference between the first two is that while in the former there are external objects (savastu), in the latter there is none (avastu); but in both there is consciousness of duality (sopalambha). In the lokottara there is neither the external world of things nor the internal world of ideas, and consequently there is no apprehension of duality; ignorance, however, persists. It is only he who knows these three as non-real states that knows the truth. For him there is no duality, nor ignorance, the seed of duality. When the real is known, there is not the world of duality15.

6 Muktika, I, 26.

7 The distinctions of 'within' and 'without', it must be remembered, are from the standpoint of waking experience; for it is in this state that inquiry is possible.

8 I,i. eka eva tridha smrtah.

9 I, 2. See commentary.

10 Mandukya, 6.

11 Here again it must be noted that the real is called 'the fourth' from the empirical standpoint; in truth, the category of number is inapplicable to it.

12 I, 12. Turiyah sarvadrk sada.

13 I, 13–16

14 IV, 87, 88.

15 I, 18. jnate dvaitam na vidyate

5

As a result of the inquiry into the avasthas it must be evident that the pluralistic world is illusory, as the self alone is real. That the world which we take to be real in waking is illusory, Gaudapada seeks to establish in the Vaitathya-prakarana on the analogy of the dream0world. Judged by the standards of waking, it will be readily seen that the world of dreams is unreal. A person may dream of elephants and chariots; but on waking he realises that all of them must have been illusory because they appeared within him, within the small space of his body16. The dream-contents do not form part of the external world which we take to be real in waking; and so they are illusory. Nor do they conform to the laws of space and time which govern the waking world. In a trice of waking time one may travel far and wide in dream. There is no real going to the place of dream, for on waking one does not find oneself there. Nor are the objects experienced in dream real, for when the dream-spell is broken one does not see them17. Because chariot, etc., seen in dream are non-existent, they are illusory18.

The world of waking is in many respects similar to that of dream. The objects of waking are perceived as the dream-objects are; and they are evanescent as well, like the contents of dream. What is non-existent in the beginning and at the end, is so even in the present19. That is real which is not conditioned by time. Per contra that which is conditioned by time cannot be real. Just as the dream-objects are experienced in dream alone neither before nor after, even so the objects of waking are experienced in the state of waking alone. A difference between the two states cannot be made out on the ground that, while the objects experienced in waking are practically efficient, those seen in dream are not; for even the objects of waking experience are fruitful in practice only in that state and not in dream; and the dream-objects are useful in their own way in the state of dream.

It is true that the dream-water cannot quench actual thirst. But it is equally true that the so-called actual water cannot quench the dream-thirst either20. It may be argued that the contents of dream are unreal because, unlike the objects of waking, they are strange and abnormal. But when and to whom do they appear abnormal? To him who has returned to waking after a dream. In the dream state itself the contents are not realised to be strange. With perfect equanimity the dreamer may watch even the dismemberment of his own head. We are told that the denizens of heaven have their own peculiarities which to us are all abnormal. Similarly, from the side of waking the dream-contents may seem abnormal; but in themselves they are quite normal21. That there is an essential similarity between the contents of dream and the objects of waking may be shown by a closer scrutiny of the two states. In the state of dream, the dreamer imagines certain ideas within himself and sees certain things outside; and he believes that, while the former are unreal, the latter are real. But as soon as he wakes from the dream, he realises the unreality of even the things which he saw in dream as if outside. Similarly in waking, we have our fancies which we know to be unreal, and we experience facts which we take to be real. But when the delusion of duality is dispelled, the so-called facts of the external world will turn out to be illusory appearance22. Therefore it is that the wise characterize waking as a dream23. Just as the dream-soul arises and perishes, the souls of waking come into being and pass away24. It is the self that posits the dream-contents as well as the external world. The things created in the mind within and those posited in the world without—both these are the illusory imaginations of the Atman. The difference between the two sets of things is that while the dream-contents last only till the mind of the dreamer imagines them (cittakalah) and are peculiar thereto, the objects of the external world are perceived by other subjects25 as well (dvayakalah), and are cognised through the sense-organs. Illusoriness (vaitathya), however, is common to both26. In dream as well as in waking it is the mind that moves impelled by Maya, and creates the appearance of plurality. As identical with the self the mind is non-dual; but owing to nescience duality is figured and there is the consequent samsara27.

20 II, 7; IV, 32.21 II, 8. See J. A. C. Murray, B.D.: An Introduction to a Christian Psycho-Therapy(T. &T. Clark), p. 252; Waking consciousness is, after all a limited affair, narrowed by the immediacies of the five senses, and concentrated at every moment on but one moving point. In dreams, we seem to enter a wider kingdom, freed from the fears and restraints of normal life, a field where earthly forces and laws are set at naught, and where the whole immensity of the sub-conscious can have freer speech, and like a rising tide, submerge the petty logics of our daily life.

22 II, 9 & 10, IV, 63–66.23 II, 5. svapna-jagarite sthane hy ekam ahur manishinah. An ancient Chinese sage said: "Last night I dreamt that I was a butterfly and now I do not know whether I am a man dreaming that he is a butterfly or a butterfly dreaming that he is a man."24 IV,68.25 Who are also positions of the supreme Self.26 II 11–15.27 III, 29, 30; IV, 61, 62.

Illustrations for illusoriness are to be found even in the state of waking. Just as in the dark a rope which is not determinately known is imagined to be a snake or a streak of water,the self is imagined to be the world through nescience. And as when the rope is known as rope the posited snake, etc., vanish, so also when the self is known as non-dual, that pluralistic world disappears28. Like the Palace city of Fairy Morgana (gandharva-nagara), the universe is seen but is not real29. The things of the world are believed to exist because they are perceived (upalambhat) and because they answer to certain practical needs (samacharat). But these two reasons cannot make them real; for even the objects like the elephant conjured up by the necromancer are observed and are practically efficient but are not real30. One more illustration Gaudapada gives in the fourth chapter, viz. the alata or fire-brand. When a fire-brand is moved, it appears to be straight, or crooked, and so on; and when the movement stops, the appearances vanish. They do not really come from the fire-brand in motion, nor do they enter into it when it comes to rest. The patterns of fire that appear with the movement of the fire-brand are illusory; they have no substance whatsoever. Similarly, consciousness appears in manifold forms due to Maya. These do not come out of it, in reality, nor do they return to it; for they are naught31. There is no dissolution, no origination; no one in bondage, no one who desires release, no one who is released – this is the supreme truth32.

The establishment of the non-reality of the world by Gaudapada does not mean that the great teacher subscribes to the view of ontological unreality (sunyavada). We have already seen how in the Agama-prakarana he expounds the meaning of the Mandukya Upanishad and shows through an inquiry into the nature of the three avasthas that the Self (turiya) is the sole reality. That this is so Gaudapada argues through reasoning in the Advaita-prakarana, and cites in support the evidence of passages from other scriptural texts as well.

The self is unlimited like ether, undivided and the same throughtout. The jivas are apparent distinctions therein, as pots, etc., produce in ether divisions as it were. We speak of a plurality of souls and a multiplicity of material objects, even as we speak of pot-ether, pitcher-ether, and so on. The one Atman appears as the many jivas, as the same ether seems divided, enclosed in the different things. When the things are destroyed, the distinctions in ether too vanish; so also when the jivas are realised to be manifestations due to Maya, the self alone remains. There is no contingence of the defects of one jiva being occasioned in the other jivas or the defects of the jivas defiling the purity of the self. It must be noted that Gaudapada's theory is not eka-jiva-vada but eka-tma-vada. Since the empirical plurality of jivas is recognized, there is not the contingence of the defects of one jiva being occasioned in the others or the experiences of one being confused with those of the rest. And by the defilments of the jivas the self is not affected, as dust, smoke, etc., present in the pots or pitchers do not make ether foul. Forms, functions, and names differ from object to object; but there is no difference in ether. Similarly, the jivas vary in their physical make-up, mental and moral endowment, in station and status; but the self is unvarying, formless, functionless, and nameless. Just as children attribute wrongly dirt, etc., to the sky, the ignorant superpose on the unsullied self defects like birth and death, pleasure and pain. But these are changes that are not real and do not touch the self. The birth of the jivas and their death, their coming and going, do not alter the Atman. They are not products of the self, nor are they parts thereof. The non-dual reality is partless; it neither causes anything, nor is caused by anything33.

Scripture in many places proclaims the non-duality of the self and deprecates the delusion of duality. Through an inquiry into the five sheaths (kosas) that cover the soul, the TaittiriyaUpanishad34 exhibits the self as the non-dual bliss, not to be confused with the mutable coverings. In the 'Honey section' of the Brihadaranyaka35 the principle behind the cosmic elements is identified with the self which is the substrate of the body and its functions. What is without is within as well. The same 'honey' pervades all beings. It is immortal, the self, Brahman, the all. As the spokes are fixed in the nave of a wheel, so are all beings centred in the self. Thus scripture declares the non-difference of the jiva from the self and denounces plurality. Difference is illusory; the one appears as many through Maya. "There is no plurality here.36 Indra through mayas assumes diverse forms.37 "Though unborn he appears variously born".38 The Isavasya39 denies birth of the self and the Brihadaranyaka asks, "Who indeed could produce him? 40" Of what is real birth is incomprehensible; and what is unreal cannot even be born.41

It is true that in some contexts scripture speaks of creation. Through the illustrations of clay, metal, sparks, etc., creation of the many from the one is described. But this is only to enable those who are dull-witted and middlings to understand the fundamental unity of reality. Sruti declares creation in some places, and non-creation in others. The two sets of passages cannot have equal validity. That teaching should be taken as the purport of scripture which is ascertained through inquiry (nischitam) and is reasonable (yukti-yuktam). If birth is predicated of the real, it must be in the sense of an illusion, and not in the primary sense. The self is unborn, sleepless and dreamless, nameless and formless, self-luminous and all-knowing.42

That the self is unborn and that nothing else there is which is born, Gaudapada seeks to demonstrate through a dialectical criticism of the causal category in the fourth chapter. Causation, like all other relations, falls within the realm of nescience, because on analysis it turns out to be unintelligible. There are two rival views on causation which are totally opposed to each other. The Sankhya theory is that the effect is pre-existent in the cause and is not produced de novo. The Nyaya-Vaiseshika view is that the effect is non-existent, there prior to its production. On either of these hypotheses there will not result causation. If the effect is already existent, there is no need for any causal operation; it is meaningless to say that what is existent is born. If the effect is non-existent, it can never be produced; what is non-existent like the barren woman's son is not at any time seen to take birth43. Even without their knowing the two rival schools, satkarya-vada and asatkarya-vada, are thus seen to support the view of non-creation or non-origination44.

Of what is really unborn the disputants predicate birth. But this is a flagrant violation of the law of contradiction. How can that which is unborn and therefore immortal become mortal? The immortal cannot become mortal, nor the mortal immortal; for it is impossible for a thing to change its nature. If what is by nature immortal were to become mortal, then it would cease to be changeless, and attain artificiality, illusoriness. But this is impossible for what is immortal by nature. The Sankhya thinks that the unborn and beginningless Prakriti evolves itself into the manifold evolutes that constitute the universe. But this view cannot be justified by any canon of logic. If Prakriti becomes the world, it cannot be unborn (aja) and eternal (nitya). Even to admit that there is a first cause is to confess the failure of causation as a principle of explanation. To add to the confusion the Sankhya says that the effect is non-different from the cause. Now, is the effect born or unborn? If it is born, it cannot be non-different from the cause which is unborn. If it is unborn, then it cannot be called 'effect', as the effect is that which is produced. And if the effect is produced and is non-different from the cause, the cause cannot be permanent or unchanging. There is no illustration that could be instanced to prove the production of the effect from the unborn cause. If to avoid this difficulty it be said that the cause too is born, then there should be a cause for that cause, a still further cause for that other cause, and so on adinfinitum45.

The Mimamsakas maintain that the cause and the effect are reciprocally dependent. Merit and demerit are responsible for producing the body; and the body occasions merit and demerit. The chain of causes and effects is without beginning, each alternating with the other, like the seed and the sprout. Here again we meet with insuperable difficulties. If the antecedent of a cause is its effect and the antecedent of an effect is its cause, then both cause and effect are begun. How can they be beginningless? Moreover, there is a paradox in the very thesis that is proposed. To say that the antecedent of the cause is its effect is like saying that the son begets his father46. There must be some definite sequence recognised as between cause and effect. It is no use believing that the two are reciprocally dependent. If the cause and the effect can be indifferently antecedent or consequent, there would be no distinction whatever between them, and to call one a cause and the other an effect would be entirely arbitrary and void of meaning. Now, there are three possible ways of stating the sequence. It may be said that first there is the cause and subsequently the effect takes place (purva-krama); or it may be held that the effect is followed by the cause (apara-krama); or it may be thought that the cause and the effect are simultaneous (saha-krama). None of these alternatives is intelligible. That the cause cannot produce the effect we have shown already. If the cause is unborn, it cannot change and therefore cannot produce; if it is born there is infinite regress. The reverse order too is impossible; for, as we said, it is just like making the son antecedent to the father. The effect by definition is that which is produced by the cause; and if the cause is not there before the effect, how can the effect be produced? And from the unproduced effect how can the cause come into being? The third alternative also is untenable. If what are simultaneous be causally related, there must be such a relation between the two horns of an animal. But as a matter of experience it is well known that the two horns are not so related. This, then, is the crux of the problem. Without settling the sequence, the distinction of cause and effect would be unintelligible. And it is impossible to settle the sequence. In despair, appeal might be made to the illustration of seed and sprout. But a little thought would reveal that these–seed and sprout–cannot serve as illustration. It is only when the causal sequence has been settled that the relation between seed and sprout would become intelligible. Since the latter is a particular falling under the wider relation of cause and effect, it cannot be used as an illustration. It is, in short, sadhya-sama, still to be proved47.

A thing is not produced either from itself or from another. A pot is not produced from the self-same pot, nor from another pot. It may be urged that pot is produced from clay. But how is pot related to clay. Is it non-different, different, or both different and non-different from it? If pot is non-different from clay, it cannot be produced, since clay is already existent. If it is different, there is no reason why it should not be produced from another pot or a piece of cloth which are also different. And it cannot be both different and non-different, because of contradiction. Similarly, neither the existent nor the non-existent nor what is existent and non-existent is produced. The non-existent cannot be produced even because of its non-existence. The third alternative involves us in contradiction48.

It is true that empirical distinctions are observed between knower and known, pain and the source of pain, etc. From the standpoint of reasoning based on relative experience (yukti-darsanat), there is difference as also causal relation governing the differents. But from the standpoint of the Absolute (bhuta-darsanat) there is no difference and the concept of cause is unintelligible49.

Gaudapada admits creation in the sphere of the empirical. But creation, according to him, is neither de novo nor transformation of an original stuff. It is of the nature of Maya, illusory manifestation or transfiguration. The world is not related to the self either as a piece of cloth to the threads or as curds to milk. In fact, no relation is intelligible. The one reality somehow appears as the pluralistic universe through its own Maya (atma-maya). The complexes that constitute the world are projections, like the dream-contents, effected by the illusion of the Atman50. Things are said to be born only from the standpoint of empirical truth (samvriti-satya); they have therefor no permanence. Just as an illusive sprout shoots from an illusive seed, all things arise from Maya51.

There are several theories of creation. Some philosophers favour materialistic origins for the world. For example, there are thinkers who attribute the origination of the universe to Time. Theists, however, regard God as the first cause of things. Some of them ascribe to Him efficient causality alone, others both efficient and material causality. The former say that creation is the mere volition of the Lord, while the latter hold that it is His expansion. Some maintain that God creates for the sake of His enjoyment. Others urge that creation of His sport. But how can desire be in God who is apta-kama and has no end to achieve? In our ignorance we must content ourselves with saying that creation is His nature or maya. Like dream and magic it is illusory52. The non-dual is imagined to be the manifold world. The latter is neither different from the self nor identical therewith. Hence it is declared to be indeterminable53. The philosophers of the different schools characterise the real in different ways and give their own schemes of categories. Each emphasises one particular aspect of reality and holds on to it as if it were the whole. The self has been variously conceived as life, elements, constituents of Primal Nature, things, worlds, Vedas, sacrifice, what is subtle, what is gross, what has form, what has no form, and so on. According to the Sankhyas, there are twenty five tattvas or principles. To these, the followers of the Yoga system add one more, viz., God. In the view of the Pasupatas there are twenty-one categories. There are others who make the categories endless in number. All these theories are but the imaginations of their respective advocates54. There is only one self which appears as many through self-delusion as it were55. First the jivas are imagined and then the various things, external and internal. The world of souls and things is an appearance superposed on the self, as the snake-form is imposed on the rope-substance in the dark56.

The teaching of creation has no final purport. As has been shown already, what is real cannot be really born. If it is said to be born, it must be in the sense of an illusory appearance57. Ordinarily it is stated that samsara which has no beginning comes to an end when release is attained. But this is figurative language. If samsara had no beginning, it could not have an end. If release is attained, it is liable to be lost again58. If the universe really existed, it would be destroyed. As we have observed, duality is maya-matra mere illusion. Removal of samsara and attainment of moksha are figurative. These have to be taught in language which needs must relate to duality. When the real is known, there is no duality whatever59.

True to its character as an upadesa-sastra, the Gaudapada-karika contains practical teaching at the end of each chapter. The purpose of a sastra is to enable the aspirant to cross the sea of samsara and reach the shore of blessedness which is the highest human goal (parama-purushartha). The vicious circle of empirical life dependent on the law of cause and effect is evil (anartha). This, however, as has been shown above, is a product of avidya or Maya. As long as there is an obstinate faith in causality which is illusory (avidyaka), the chain of birth and death will not cease. When that false belief is destroyed through knowledge, samsara is removed60. The cause of birth and death is ignorance as regards the ultimate truth which is causeless. When this is realised, there is no further cause for metempsychosis, and we attain release which is freedom from sorrow, desire, and fear. Attachment to the non-real is responsible for the illusory wanderings in the wilderness of samsara. When one becomes non-attached through knowledge, one turns back from the false pursuit of the non-real, and reaches the non-dual reality which is homogeneous and unborn61.

The real bliss is veiled and the non-real sorrow is projected on account of the perfection of illusory plurality. Enshrouded by the darkness of ignorance, those of immature knowledge (balisah) dispute about what they consider to be the nature of reality. Some say, it is; some, it is not; others, it is and is not; yet others, it neither is nor is not62. All these are kripanas, narrow-minded, who see fear in the fearless63, and follow the way of difference, getting themselves engrossed therein. Opposed to these are the great knowers (mahajnanah) who are settled in their wisdom about the unborn, unchanging reality64.

The knowledge which saves is not that which remains a mere theoretical comprehension, but that which has become a direct experience. Study of scripture, ethical discipline, detachment from objects of sense and intense longing for release–these are essential for realising the self. The aspirant should learn the purport of the Veda and acquire freedom from passions like attachment, fear, and anger (vita-raga-bhaya-krodhah); and he should fix his thoughts on the non-dual reality65. Gaudapada teaches two methods of concentrating the mind on the non-dual, Pranava-yoga in the first chapter and Asparsa-yoga in the third. These are to serve as auxiliaries to the knowledge of the Absolute, methods to loosen the cords of ignorance.

Asparsa-yoga is the yoga of transcendence, whereby one realises the supra-relational reality. Sankalpa is the root of activity and bondage. The mind contemplates objects and gets distracted and shattered with the result that there is no peace or happiness. Acceptance and desistance are motivated by the centrifugal tendency of thought-process. The out-going mind should be called back and controlled. Controlling the mind is difficult, indeed, as difficult as emptying the ocean drop by drop by the tip of kusa grass. But it is not an impossible task; only it requires relentless effort. If the mind is restrained through discrimination, the end will certainly be reached. One must remember first that all is misery and turn back from desires and enjoyments. The mind that moves out must be brought to unity. But in this process care must be taken that it does not fall into sleep. When the mind goes to sleep, it must be awakened; when it tries to go out, it must be calmed. When the stormy mind is stilled, there is the thrill of quietude. But one should not revel even in this yogic trance. Anything that is enjoyed must belong to duality; it cannot be unlimited or lasting happiness. The mind must become non-mind (amanibhava); the relations of subject and object, enjoyer and enjoyment must be transcended. This will come only through the knowledge of the non-dual self. Knowledge and the self are not different. Knowledge is the self or Brahman. Hence it is said that through the unborn (knowledge) the unborn (Brahman) is known66. Self-established, the unborn knowledge attains its natural equanimity or sameness. This is called asparsa-yoga, the yoga which is pleasing and good to all beings, and which is beyond dispute and contradiction67.

The same end may be reached through meditation on OM (pranavayoga). 'Om' is the term indicative of the Brahman-self. It consists of three matras, a, u, m, and a soundless fourth which is amatra. A stands for Visva, u for Taijasa, and m for Prajna. Meditation on the significance of the three sounds respectively will lead to the realisation of the three aspects of the self. The sound 'om' proceeds from and is resolved in the soundless amatra. Similarly, the Turiya is the absolute which is unchanging and non-dual, but which appears as many and changing. When the meaning of the soundless culmination of Om is realised, there is leading to or attainment of anything; for the Turiya is no other than real and only self. Thus the Pranava is to be meditated upon and known. It is the beginning, middle and end of all things. It is the lord established in the heart of all beings. There is nothing before it nor anything after it, nothing outside it nor anything other than it. Understanding the Pranava in this manner, one attains the supreme.68Moksha or release is not a post-mortem state; it can be realised even here (iha), while in embodiment69. To speak of it as an attainment or realisation is but figurative. It is the eternal and inalienable nature of the self. He who knows this is released, he is a jivan-mukta. Because he has attained full omniscience and is free from the delusion of duality, there is nothing for him which he can desire70. He is not elated by praise nor depressed by blame. He does not offer obeisance to any, nor does he perform any rite. He has no fixed home, and subsists on what comes his way. He lies like a non-conscious being, and lives as he likes71. Though he has no obligations, his conduct can never be immortal. Virtues like humility, equanimity, calmness, and self-control are natural to him72. His is the immortal state which is difficult to be seen, very deep, unborn, ever the same, and fearless73. He sees the truth everywhere. He delights in the truth and does not swerve from it. He is the truth74.

From the account of Gaudapada's philosophy given above it will be clear that this great teacher was an Advaitin, the earliest known to us–who is his karika laid the foundations of a philosophy which was to become a glorious edifice through the immortal work of Sankara. While making use of logical reasoning and the dialectical method, he does not deviate from the teaching of the Upanishads.

Even where he employs Bauddha terminology, he takes care to point out that his system should not be confused with Buddhism. While denying absolute reality to the world, he is firm in proclaiming that the non-dual Brahman-self is the supreme truth. He has no quarrel with any system of philosophy because, in his view, all systems if properly understood are pointers to non-duality. While the dualists oppose one another, the doctrine of non-duality does not conflict with them75. Ajati or the unborn reality is the final goal of all metaphysical quest.

There is a belief that one of the faces is that of Sri Vinayaka. The idol of Adyanta Maha Prabhu depicts a figure of half Anjaneya and half Vinayaka. Half Ganesha and half Hanuman At Madya Kailas temple Adyar Chennai The idol is an amalgam of Sri vigneshwara and Sri Anjaneya on the lines of Ardhanareeswara ( Siva and Parvati) and Sri Sankaranarayana (combination of Siva and narayana).The word Aadiyantha stands for "begining to end" (Aadi = begining & Antha = end).

Any one who wish to have display show during any religious program or any program where i can show please mail to me, the display show will be done at my own cost.If you like these sketches please do forwards to others also.

For humanity, few arguments have withstood the test of time as well as the perceived conflict between desire (Kama) and spirituality. This conflict appears within most spiritual traditions and has enkindled an endless debate as to the proper perspective and role of desire and spirituality.

To the average student of spirituality, they have been led to believe that desire is in complete conflict with spirituality. This is especially true of students of the western hemisphere, but appears throughout the world. An apparent paradox has evolved out of this. The paradox is the commonly held belief that desire shows lack of spirituality while the practice of spirituality contains numerous prayers, mantras, and meditations aimed at fulfilling desire. But do all spiritual traditions support an autocratic stance toward spirituality and desire? While it is true that most have at least elements of this paradox, often the reason can be linked to a misunderstanding of words and spiritual principle's.

Within the Ayurvedic system, it is recognized that for householders four main aims are taught:

Dharma

Artha

Kama

Moksha

Dharma is a good vocation following your truth, it is also a reference to universal truth and knowledge. Artha is prosperity. Moksha is liberation, and Kama is desire.

Frequently Kama (desire) is interpreted to be only a reference to love, in particular sexual love or sexual desire. But this is only the strongest or more correctly, the most basic form of kama. Kam is basically enjoyment. While enjoyment is strongly associated with the emotional mind (manas), it can also have a higher spiritual manifestation. This would commonly be referred to as kama-apara and kama-para or lower desire and higher desire. In a sense, the Rg Veda is about the fulfillment of desires. Obviously some of these are the lower interpretations (kama-apara) of the Vedas; with people wanting cows, prosperity, among other things. Certainly the Atharva Veda has rituals for the desire of a husband, wife, or other desire. While these could be viewed by some as apara or lower, they certainly play an important role as the soul witnesses the play of karma. And these same desires have a higher manifestation. Such as cow representing physical or mental/spiritual prosperity, they also represent mental and spiritual prosperity on a higher level.

Occasionally these are also referred to as the inner and outer forms. So the same teaching can be applied to the higher and lower forms. The Atharva Veda also deals with the desire for health and wellness. Certainly these are desires that do need to be addressed and would be valued by most people in society. So obviously there is a more expansive view toward Kama or desire in a broader meaning than the narrow meaning of just sexuality. Was kama ever intended to be limited to a base bodily function and mere mindlessness of the senses? Most likely not, as we find kama referenced in numerous ancient texts such as the previously mentioned Rg and Atharva Vedas. Kama appears within texts such as the Taittiriya Samhita from the Krishna Yajur Veda, offering mantras when desires are not fulfilled 2.3.3. These particular mantras have nothing to do with sexuality or sexual desire, but with other types of desire.

Within Sanskrit, a deeper meaning of kama is revealed. The primal root to Kama is "Ka" and the Taittiriya Samhita from the Krishna Yajur Veda, states that Ka is Prajapati, the lord of creation. Within Sanskrit, 'ka' can be a reference to the soul, sun, Vishnu and much more. So clearly it does not contain the negative attributes given in later texts. It is within the "Bhagavad Gita" XVI, 11-12, that the Kama is held in the lowest esteem. It is in this section (XVI of the Gita) that kama is associated with more demonic qualities or those of a lower nature. Again this is focusing on kama from only a sexual/lust view. This is section of the "Gita" is obviously focusing on the lower or kama-apara. In which case, the teachings in the "Gita" have numerous valid points.

In this short exploration of kama, we are starting to see the dual nature of kama revealed through the concept of lower and higher desires. We have explored the Vedic view and that of the Gita. The next area to explore kama through is tantra. Certainly within tantra, this could only be a reference to sexual desire, as sexual tantra is what most people are familiar with. But sexual tantra is actually a small portion of the greater field of knowledge within tantra. Obviously it would follow the same concept of higher and lower teachings toward desire.

Within the Tantric teachings, kama manifests as a shakti known as kamala. She is ultimately a manifestation of Kali, and it is this form of Kali that is worshipped by many people around the world, as she is strongly associated with beauty and prosperity in such forms as Laxshmi. But she is also the spirit of giving. It is through giving that one begins to bring an end to just the outer seeking of the senses; and one begins to manifest the higher form of kama (para). We begin to discover the higher desire for spiritual truth and realization. In this sense, many people go through a variety of experiences that inspires a longing for truth. Kamala is located in the heart chakra, which is the seat of devotional worship. In fact, this spiritual seat, within the heart chakra, is considered by many as the most important spiritual doorway for the astral and causal body; jnana yoga even values this spiritual doorway, as the heart chakra and various points within this field was referenced even by Ramana Maharishi.

Kamala and Kama in its higher form, begins as recognition of the divine beauty within the world. This appears on basic levels as an appreciation of art, music, beauty, and slowly starts to manifest as an appreciation of aromas, and other meditative tools such as incense, candle's, meditative music, and meditation itself. Kama as Kamala can manifest as a powerful desire to meditate and experience the power of the heart chakra.

Kama is presently known more as a puranic version of the deity than the older Vedic and Tantric teachings. Kama's energy is reflected in numerous Hindu teachings with the quote "God wanted to be many." This references the original primal desire of consciousness. Our return to our true source and essence begins with desire (kama). This idea is taught repeatedly with one of the oldest references being in the Rg Veda, "Desire first arose in it…" X.129. Kama is also mentioned in the Atharva Veda, and at times associated with Agni within the Rg Veda. According to the "Taittiriya Brahmana" he is born of Dharma and the deity of Justice. This is a very different view of kama verses the puranic god of lust and sexual desire that is often portrayed. But in reality, kama on the lower levels is reflected in human sexuality, which is only a veiled "urge to merge". Regrettably many people do not come to fully understand this "urge to merge" and cannot move past the basic sexual urge. In other words, they become lost in the sexual experience and never realize the spiritual teaching behind the experience. But for others, over time, this desire evolves into a higher longing. This idea is reflected in tantra and such things as art and music, a modern notable example would be Steve Winwoods, "Bring me a higher Love."

As we begin to experience kama in a new and different manifestation, we begin to experience the opening and energization of the heart chakra. This is an important stage for all spiritual students. This brings a desire to commune with the deities, energies, or essence of our soul. It also indicates the awakening desire for truth. Desire plays an important role in this development and desire to commune in a different way.

Again this desire for divinity is a critical step in spiritual growth and development. As it inspires us to keep working, it helps us in addressing our longing for divine communion, or more correctly, to awaken to the divine communion that is occurring on a daily basis in our life. A common pattern for a few students is twisting a desire. Usually this manifests as a desire to just have an experience or to see something. Again this is a process that some must pass through. Eventually the teachings remind us that once desire for divinity has taken us almost to the goal, of divine realization, we must sacrifice our desire for divine realization, in order to take the final step into realization. But for many, desire is condemned to an autocratic philosophy before one has had the opportunity to reap the benefits from, or cultivate, higher desire. And after all isn't this one of the goals of spirituality? To provide a practical step by step process in moving from one level of consciousness to another.

Kama in practical application and daily life.

Kama is our desire, but not just the limited sexual desire as is frequently taught. Kama is our experience of divinity via the senses. And ultimately it is a vehicle for returning home to our true essence.

To begin to use kama in a productive way in life, try some of the following:

Make a list of desires, all of them, evaluate which ones are still important, which ones have been fulfilled and which need more time. (The key is to be honest with yourself on this one).

Evaluate different desires, see which ones serve you and which ones cause pain and suffering.

Allow the cultivation of bhakti (devotion) with a deity that you are drawn to. This could involve meditation on the deity or basic mantras to the deity.

Experience the manifestation of divinity through the senses, using mantra, sacred images, candlelight, incense, and spiritual music.

Experience the manifestation of divinity in nature. I would recommend reading, Yoga and the Sacred Fire as well as Tantric Yoga and the Wisdom Goddesses by Dr. David Frawley. You could also read some articles on Ushas on our website www.vedicpath.com There is also a great selection of articles at www.vedanet.com

Study and contemplation of sacred texts.

Begin the practice of yoga and Ayurveda, or both.

Begin a daily meditation practice.

Practice giving to others.

Recognize that Kama as a deity or force is a powerful presence in your life. Examine ways to use this force in productive, positive and balanced ways in your life.

Realize that Kama as a goal in life is ultimately for the manifestation of moksha or liberation.

Create a list of higher values and start to cultivate them using some of the above techniques.

Create positive sensory input by using the above techniques.

Recognize that all sensory input is food. Food for the mind and for the body. Ingestion of proper food allows one to move more quickly along the spiritual path just as nutritious food is better for the physical body than 'junk' food. Examine the mental foods being ingested and evaluate which ones serve the best.

Practice the bija mantra to Kama or Kamala, which is "Shriim". This should be learned from someone versed in Sanskrit.

He is Brhama, He is Vishnu,He is Shiva, He is Skanda,He is the progenitor of human race,He is the king of devas,He is Kubhera, the lord of all riches.He is Kala, the God of death,And He is the moon also He is Varuna

He is the manes, He is the Gods called Vasus,He is the gods called sadhya, He is the Aswini devathas, the doctors of Gods,He is the maruths who are responsible for breeze,He is the wind God, He is the fire God,He is the soul of all beings,He is the creator of seasons,And he is the giver of light.

He is the son of Adithi,He is the creator of the world,He makes us do things,He travels on the sky,He feeds the world by rain,He is the one with rays,He is the colour of Gold,He is always shining,He is responsible for creation,And he is the maker of the day.

He has green horses,He has thousands of rays,He rides on seven horses,He dispels darkness,He gives a pleasant life,He kills all life,He gives rebirth to those killed,He removes darkness,And he is resplendent in his glory.

He who keeps the golden source,He who cools down minds of devotees,He who bestows heat,He who is the source of light,He who is praised by every one,He who has fire within himself,He who is the son of adhithi,He who travels in the sky with pleasure,And he who melts cold.

He who is the lord of the sky,He who dispels darkness,He who is a master of Rig, Yajur and Sama veda,He who is the cause of heavy rains,He who is the friend of water,And he who travels over the Vindhyas swiftly.

He who gives heat,He who is of the global shape,He who is of the form of death,He who is of the colour of gold,He who heats everything,He who is in expert in knowledge,He who manages the universe,He who is of great brilliance,He who is dear to every one,And he who manages every event.

Salutations and salutations,To him who is fearful to the sinners,To him who is the hero,And to him who travels swiftly.Salutations to him who opens the lotus,And salutations and salutations,To him who makes men live.

Salutations to Him,Who is of the colour of molten gold,Who is of the form of fire,Who has created the world,Who destroys ignorance,Who is the subject of all that is loved,And to him who is the witness of the world.